Brush turkey dies from gunshot wounds at Collaroy, police hunt shooter

Police are trying to find the person who fatally shot a brush turkey on a suburban northern beaches street.

A brush turkey had to be put down after it was found in a Collaroy St suffering two gunshot wounds. Police want to speak to the person responsible. File picture: Joel Carrett

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Police are trying to find the person who fatally shot a brush turkey on a suburban northern beaches street.

The protected native bird had to be put down after being shot twice and left to die in Stuart St, Collaroy.

Now residents are concerned that a member of their community has a firearm they are willing to use to shoot wildlife.

Resident Dani Siller, who was out walking her dog on Tuesday morning, saw the critically injured brush turkey in long grass in small reserve between Stuart and Ramsay streets.

Dani Siller, of Collaroy, found the injured brush turkey that had been shot twice. Picture: Supplied

Ms Siller said the bird then tried to drag itself along a nature strip outside a block flats,

She called wildlife rescue organisation, WIRES.

“The poor bird’s leg was dragging along behind it. It was obviously in a bad way.

“WIRES, who were fantastic, took the bird to a vet. I had no idea how badly hurt it was until WIRES got back in touch and said it had been shot.

“I was absolutely gutted and infuriated. I don’t want to have a neighbour with a firearm and no sense of empathy towards living creatures.

“Some people around here have been caught off guard that we may have a neighbour who is prepared to use a gun.”

WIRES spokesman John Grant said the bird was taken to Collaroy Veterinary Services where X-rays revealed the bird had been shot twice.

The penalties for killing a brush turkey include six months in jail. File picture: Chris Parsons

“Its leg was shattered,” Mr Grant said. “It appeared the bird had been injured some time ago and, it was emaciated and would have been struggling to survive.”

“The bird had to be euthanased.”

Collaroy Vets has supplied copies of the X-rays to detective at Dee Why police station so the type of projectiles found in the bird can be identified.

The penalties for killing or harming protected wildlife in NSW is a maximum fine of $22,000 and/or six months in jail.

Northern Beaches Police want to speak to anyone with information about those responsible for shooting the bird.

They are urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the station at Dee Why 9971 3399.